Federation does not agree with the view taken by the Railway Ministry in this case as conveyed to NFIR vide Board’s letter dated 17/20-11-2017. Federation wants that the Railway Ministry should prepare proper case based on the facts and contentions of NFIR as explained in our letter dated 28/08/2017 tobe placed before DoP&T/MoF.

II. Federation reiterates that as a result of issuance of instructions dated 17/08/2017, a situation has arisen wherein the Railway employees in Pay Level 3, drawing pay Rs. 21,700/- and above upto Level 8 hitherto entitled for Transport Allowance @ Rs. 3600 + DA thereon (in A1/A class cities and in other cities @ Rs.1800 + DA thereon) have been deprived of the said rate due to the new norm for entitlement only when their pay reaches Rs.24,001/-.

III. Further it is relevant to take note that pursuant to acceptance of the recommendations of 5th CPC and 6th CPC, the rates revised as follows:-

(a) Recommendations of 5th CPC –

Transport Allowance RBE No.179/1997 (rates w.e.f. 01/08/1997)

S.No.

Pay Scale of the Employees

A1/ A class city

Other Places

1

Rs.8000-13500 or above

800

400

2

Rs.6500-10500 or above but below Rs.8000-13500

400

200

3

Below Rs.6500-10500

100

75

Above position reveals that all the employees working in pay scale below Rs. 6500-10500 i.e. upto Rs.6000-9800 (S1 to S10A) were allowed Transport Allowance at the uniform rate of Rs.100/- p.m. in A1/A class cities irespective of their pay.

(b) The Railway Board vide circular (RBE No.111/2008 – effective from 01/09/2008 and RBE No.95/2015) had prescribed following rates for payment of Transport Allowance to the Railway employees.

Employees drawing Grade Pay of Rate of

Transport Allowance for A1/ A class cities

GP 5400 & above

3200 + DA

GP 4200 – 4800, GP below 4200 and pay in pay band: Rs.7440

1600 + DA

GP below 4200 and Pay below Rs.7440

600 + DA

IV. From the comparison of two tables mentioned above, it could be seen that the Railway employees were allowed higher rate of Transport Allowance on drawing pay Rs.7440/- irrespective of Grade Pay/Pay Band. The modified Board’s instructions issued vide letter dated 03/08/2017 and 17/08/2017, have deprived the Transport Allowance @ Rs.3600+DA thereon to those in Pay Level 1 and 2 (7th CPC) due to imposition of restriction i.e. reaching the pay Rs.24700/- ignoring the fact that the staff were already drawing pay @ Rs.7440 in 6th CPC Pay Band/Grade Pay.

Federation, therefore requests the Railway Ministry to kindly anange to make out case in the light of NFIR’s contentions for rendering justice to those staff of Pay Level 1 & 2 for granting Transport Allowance at rate i.e. 3600/- + DA thereon when they reach the corresponding pay @ Rs.21700/- and not 24200/- to meet the ends of justice and refer to MoF.

A copy of the reference made to the MoF may be endorsed to the Federation for taking follow up action.